let's bring you what he had to say. the votes are still being counted, but the message from across the country is loud and clear. people have had enough of this out of touch conservative government. they have had enough of being taken for granted and been let down. it is time for change. and across this country, from cheltenham to dorset, from west hertfordshire to here in winchester, so many people, including lifelong conservatives are switching to the liberal democrats to make that change happen. so they can have real champions who work tirelessly for the local community and deliver the fair deal that people still deserve. the reform party didn't stand councillors in every available seat. but they did put their focus on the blackpool south by—election —

and they came a close third to the conservatives. here's the result — their candidate came in just 117 votes behind their conservative rival — securing 17% of the vote. i spoke to the leader of reform uk — richard tice — and asked him if he was pleased with the result — or frustrated not to have done better. it would have been great, but nevertheless, we are delighted with 17%, its above our national polling average, our best by—election result, and what it shows actually, with great local candidates, more and more people are hearing about reform uk and they like the message they hear, and everybody knew labour would win this but if you look at the collapse in the tory vote, they went from 50% down to 17%. this is a seismic shift. what about the idea for voters that actually you did very well given

national vote share and the things you mentioned, nobody will dispute that, but it's still nowhere near actually winning a seat, so what does that say to voters in the area? that says we have the wrong electoral system in this country because it is patiently unfair, if you are getting 17% because it is patently unfair, if you are getting 17% of votes across the country, but because of our system you can't get any seats, that shows democracy isn't working. that's why most western nations have some proportional representation. the irony is that tories are collapsing so fast, soon they will be begging for proportional representation to stop the annihilation of the tory party, so wouldn't that be a thing? electoral reform has been high on the agenda but no such shift in the offing. let's talk about, away from blackpool south, the rest of the evening. what is your assessment of reform uk's performance? the first votes out were actually in the north—east, and we beat the tories in 16 of 25 awards.

the tories in 16 of 25 wards. significantly outperforming our national polling share. we are delighted, we've got some very important mayoral results being counted, again in the north—east, manchester, and we could surprise people on the upside. one thing becoming rapidly cleared as basically, as more people hear about reform uk, we are becoming the real opposition to the labour party in the north, the midlands, wales, we are on the way up. it's clear the tories on the way down. let's speak to the shadow home secretary, yvette cooper. soa so a good day for labour today, i want to put to you that pressjohn curtis projected national share, 35% of the vote for labour, —— labour,

that's not too far forward, are you concerned with that? in that's not too far forward, are you concerned with that?— concerned with that? in the one parliamentary — concerned with that? in the one parliamentary seat _ concerned with that? in the one parliamentary seat up _ concerned with that? in the one | parliamentary seat up yesterday concerned with that? in the one i parliamentary seat up yesterday in blackpool, we had a huge swing to labour, and 26% from the conservatives to the mac, that's the sixth by election we have one with more than 20% swing, so we are clearly really pleased by that and i think that shows really the depth of frustration and anger that there is with this conservative government that does feel like it's clinging on by its fingernails at the moment. we've also found that the areas where we have had big increases in the labour vote, also ones that really matter as well for future elections for the future general elections for the future general election for particularly parliamentary seats. of course it's the case in local elections that you get far more different local candidates for smaller areas, smaller wards, other parties that will stand as well when it comes to the general election fundamentally

it's a choice between conservative government and a labour government, and that's the choice that we've seen people exercising in the black fool by election and the other by elections that we've had. he mentioned _ elections that we've had. he mentioned the impact on smaller parties there. reform uk taking votes, it seems, from conservatives. so are you thankful for the role of reform uk is playing? i so are you thankful for the role of reform uk is playing?— so are you thankful for the role of reform uk is playing? i think you've not --eole reform uk is playing? i think you've got peeple in _ reform uk is playing? i think you've got peeple in lots — reform uk is playing? i think you've got people in lots of— reform uk is playing? i think you've got people in lots of different - got people in lots of different areas wanting to vote for change and the thing i would say the in the end, the only party that can change with the government does and what actually happens, a change of government, is the labour party. whether that's additional we got in rushmore, the home of the british army in the south or in north yorkshire, the north yorkshire mayor and rishi sunak�*s back yard here in the north, those of the sort of results in the end in a general election that is the choice people will face. do we have five more years of rishi sunak and this

conservative chaos? or do we get the change that we need. to give britain its feature back with a labour government. we its feature back with a labour government.— its feature back with a labour government. ~ ., ., ., government. we want to ask you about one issue that — government. we want to ask you about one issue that has _ government. we want to ask you about one issue that has come _ government. we want to ask you about one issue that has come up _ one issue that has come up repeatedly, is notjust oldham but theissue repeatedly, is notjust oldham but the issue of the war in gaza. they have a stance in that and that impacts people going out to vote. gaza has been an issue, says your colleague wes streeting, how big an issue? , ., , , colleague wes streeting, how big an issue? , . , , ., colleague wes streeting, how big an issue? , ., , ., ,, issue? this has been an issue in some communities, _ issue? this has been an issue in some communities, it _ issue? this has been an issue in some communities, it has - issue? this has been an issue in | some communities, it has varied issue? this has been an issue in i some communities, it has varied in different areas across the country and there have also been other factors involved, sometimes on the local council factors involved we recognise that. but we strongly recommend recognise there are areas where we've had independent candidates campaigning on gaza and where there is really strong feeling about this issue because tens of thousands of people have been killed, and it'sjust devastating thousands of people have been killed, and it's just devastating to see what's happening. it's why we need an immediate cease—fire, and the hostages to be released and why

we hope that some progress will be made in the negotiations. but we do recognise the strength of feeling there is and of course we will continue to work just there is and of course we will continue to workjust as we do in every area across the country, to earn votes back in future. but are ou earn votes back in future. but are you accepting _ earn votes back in future. but are you accepting that _ earn votes back in future. but are you accepting that come - earn votes back in future. but are you accepting that come the - earn votes back in future. but are i you accepting that come the general election, you will be losing votes in some communities because of the position of the party on the war in gaza? in position of the party on the war in gaza? ., . position of the party on the war in gaza? .. , ., position of the party on the war in gaza? .,. y., ., ., 4' position of the party on the war in gaza? i. ., ., .,, gaza? in fact, if you look at areas for example _ gaza? in fact, if you look at areas for example in — gaza? in fact, if you look at areas for example in rochdale - gaza? in fact, if you look at areas for example in rochdale where i gaza? in fact, if you look at areas | for example in rochdale where we had theissues for example in rochdale where we had the issues in the by election, actually, that hasn't been replicated in the local elections in the same way, and i think we've also got things right across the country where we are seeing support for labour has been growing and in a way thatis labour has been growing and in a way that is really important, milton keynes, stephen edge, in areas right across the country, police and crime commissions as well, cumbria,

somerset, norfolk, areas you wouldn't expect to see labour performing so strongly and yet we've been winning police and crime commissioner elections today, that's really important. so what we're going to keep doing is working, we know the labour party has changed in a short period of time since the last election, under keir starmer�*s leadership and we still got work to do that we'll keep doing because there's no complacency in the labour party because change is so important. i party because change is so important-— party because change is so imortant. , ., ., ., important. i spoke to one former conservative _ important. i spoke to one former conservative council _ important. i spoke to one former conservative council leader, i important. i spoke to one former i conservative council leader, saying he could see in his area this was without doubt a rejection of the conservative party but that's not the same thing as an endorsement of the same thing as an endorsement of the labour party, votersjust the same thing as an endorsement of the labour party, voters just voting against the conservatives. there the labour party, votersjust voting against the conservatives.- against the conservatives. there is no doubt that _ against the conservatives. there is no doubt that people _ against the conservatives. there is no doubt that people are _ against the conservatives. there is no doubt that people are fed i against the conservatives. there is no doubt that people are fed up i against the conservatives. there is i no doubt that people are fed up with the chaos we've seen from the conservatives and the damage they are continuing to do clinging on by theirfingernails. that's are continuing to do clinging on by their fingernails. that's why i think we need general election now but it's also why labour is continuing to argue, the things i think really matter to people about the cost of living chris is the need to get the economy going, the need

to get the economy going, the need to turn around the crisis national health service and on policing it's to get more neighbourhood police back on the beat and that's what we've been talking about in the police and crime commissioner elections in every corner of the country as well and why we are seeing i think the country as well and why we are seeing i think those successes, because of the actual issues that labour was campaigning, tees valley was one by conservative ben houchin, that's an area that labour have really got to be winning to win big in the next general election, haven't they? and they didn't do that. we did campaign strongly and we saw a 17% swing from the conservatives to labour, and the mayoral elections there are other factors in particular individuals as well, i did see the reports earlier that had at rishi sunak claiming that had at rishi sunak claiming that somehow this resulted in tees valley within a 70% swing from conservatives to labour, was somehow a great result for the conservative party. if you think that's an

endorsement of his government, he is even more out of touch that i thought, because actually, what we're seeing right across the country is deep frustration with the government and the demand for change. government and the demand for chance. ., ., , government and the demand for chance. ., .,, ., ,, government and the demand for chance. , ., ,, i. government and the demand for chance. ., ,, change. yvette cooper, thank you so much for coming _ change. yvette cooper, thank you so much for coming on _ change. yvette cooper, thank you so much for coming on the _ change. yvette cooper, thank you so much for coming on the programme. thank you. putting the government's point of view this morning was the chief secretary to the treasury, laura trott, the mp for sevenoaks in kent. i asked her to sum up the overnight results. i mean, obviously this was a disappointing result. their work, as you will know, a very specific local circumstances for this by election. and it's unsurprising given the circumstances in which the mp stood down. but a 26% swing, the third swing since world war ii. this is a record rejection of the conservative party to the labour party. yeah, there was also a lot of people voting for reform in this by election. i think what we have seen here just shows that actually a vote

for reform is a vote for keir starmer's labour party. let's talk about reform. they nearly beat the conservatives. there are only 100 odd votes in it. yeah, absolutely, and as i said what this shows very, very clearly is that if you vote for reform, you are voting for the labour party. a labour party who will not act to control illegal migration. they have no plan for our country and will take us backwards in terms of the economic progress that we are making. why do you think people are voting to why do you think people are voting reform rather than voting conservative? as i said, this is a very specific circumstance in this b— election. you will know that as i said previously that the mp stood away from that by election in across the rest of the results in pretty much every seat that reform stood, they took votes from the conservative party. why are people voting reform rather than conservative? as we discussed earlier, local elections are often very difficult for

incumbent governments. people want to send incumbent governments a message, and we know it's been a really difficult year for people. inflation has been very high. that's with a very high cost of living pressures, but what i would say to people at home is that the economy is starting to turn a corner. inflation is down, real wages are up. we have got things coming in like the childcare offer which is already been taken up by 200,000 families. we have got the rwanda vote, which isjust been passed and which means it claims to start taking off soon. so things are really starting to get brighter. for the greens, there were gains in the number of councillors. i asked the party's co—leader for england and wales, adrian ramsay, how pleased he was by what he'd seen. it's been above my expectations so far. we've had an excellent night and we are on track for a fifth election in a row to get a record number of green counsellors elected right across the country, and it is

that national performance that's particularly encouraging for me. we've made breakthroughs, winning ourfirst we've made breakthroughs, winning our first counsellors in places like newcastle, sefton and rich, we've added to our counsellor numbers in all corners of england, places like exeter, peterborough, south tyneside, and what we've shown yet again is that right across the country in urban areas, and rural, winning seats from labour in the conservatives, greens are really a national force winning seats in local government and all corners of the country and people know that if they want change and they want to vote positively through hard—working green who's going to represent their society for a grainy future, they can get that by voting greene and the local elections and when it comes to the general election as well. ., , . ., well. you stretched there to the reneral well. you stretched there to the general election _ well. you stretched there to the general election but _ well. you stretched there to the general election but you... i well. you stretched there to the l general election but you... across the country will it?

general election but you. .. across the country will it?— the country will it? we've got the excellent foundations _ the country will it? we've got the excellent foundations for - the country will it? we've got the excellent foundations for now, i the country will it? we've got the excellent foundations for now, is | the country will it? we've got the l excellent foundations for now, is to build our support in those parts of the country where we have the best chance of gaining greene and peace. if you look at herefordshire, like bristol, east anglia where i'm based, the seats in those places, we have a big concentration of greene counsellors, we are now the main opposition to the incumbent and people can see if they want a change, they want to have a strong greene advocate notjust in their community and a strong greene. in national polls we are expecting a change of government and people clearly want there to be a change, but do we want labour to have a huge majority and do whatever it wants? or would it be betterfor democracy to have more of a big diversity of voices in parliament, including greene mps there to speak up on the biggest issues of our time, on the breakdown of our climate and nature. being really stretch and needing the

funding that greens are willing to put in, we need those green voices. just wrote spoke to mr tice, he wants electoral reform, he said his party's voucher, realistically, isn't going to get him to west representation at westminster that he thinks he deserves, do you agree with him? ., he thinks he deserves, do you agree with him? . , ., , with him? that might be the only thin ido with him? that might be the only thing i do agree _ with him? that might be the only thing i do agree with _ with him? that might be the only thing i do agree with richard i with him? that might be the only thing i do agree with richard ticej thing i do agree with richard tice on, and there's lots of things we need to do to restore trust and faith and our democracy which has been shattered in recent years. and yes, a fairer voting system is one of the things i would like to say. but what i would put in front of you is the fact that greens are now doing really well under the electoral system that we've got, and you mention reform but if you look at the bbc�*s own website the total number of reform counsellors elected last night was zero and they had

about ten leading into the selection. the green party has 750 counsellors elected across the country, our strategy isn't about shaving off a few votes here and there, it's about getting greens elected across government. be strong advocates for community and for a fairer society, where the ones willing to say that our nhs is at breaking point, people can't get access to a local dentist, bus services are being eroded, the multimillionaires, the billionaires, it should be asked to pay even modestly more in tax which would enable us to raise tens of billions to invest in our public services as well as a transition to a greater economy with all of the jobs and opportunities for bringing down people's bills that that brings with it, and those changes were only going to get by having a strong green party voice in parliament and we're not going to just shave votes on that by getting greens elected as we've been doing the last few elections and we look forward to

another representative results further in the day. the prime minister, rishi sunak has been giving a victory speech with the re—elected conservative mayor of tees valley, chris houchen. i'm just so relieved, proud to get another term as the tees valley mayor, fantastic friends and family and i'm just really proud to be able to continue with the progress we've made over the last seven years, right? the plan is still under way, still a lot more to do, still a lot more progress that needs to be done, let's get four more years to implement that plan is wonderful and ijust hope to make as much progress as we've made over the last seven years. there's responsibility that comes with that is welcome of the fact we've got a backing of people right across the region, when people thought we weren't going to get a

win, we have the labour party camped here for the last two weeks, the whole shadow cabinet have funded the tourism industry in teesside the last two weeks because they thought they were going to win it, right? they thought they were going to have it but they were nowhere near the end and ijust want it but they were nowhere near the end and i just want to say thank you so much for everybody who backed me across this region, this is a vote for you, this is a vote for teesside and i absolutely promise to repay it. at the same time, it's also about this man next to me, because i could not have delivered the things that we've delivered in this region without you, for a minister. whether it's the freeport and raker, bringing grading hundreds and hundreds ofjobs, going to be 2000 in a few years. teesside wouldn't have had those things if it wasn't for the contribution that you've made, for minister, so thank you very much for everything you've done as well and here's to four more years. as well and here's to four more ears. ., ., , ., , years. four more years!

applause _ good afternoon everybody, it's great to be here with your newly elected leader of teesside. and to be here with your newly elected leader of teesside.— leader of teesside. and as i've said, leader of teesside. and as i've said. the _ leader of teesside. and as i've said, the labour _ leader of teesside. and as i've said, the labour party - leader of teesside. and as i've said, the labour party through | said, the labour party through absolutely everything at the selection, rachel reeves came here three _ selection, rachel reeves came here three times and they couldn't dislodge ben and the fantastic conservative party and there is a lot that — conservative party and there is a lot that needs to be said in the selection — lot that needs to be said in the selection because they were angry, angry— selection because they were angry, angry that — selection because they were angry, angry that ben has delivered more for this— angry that ben has delivered more for this region in seven years that the labour— for this region in seven years that the labour party has managed and 30. applause _ applause and actually, look where were standing. this airport was going to be closed down, and more flights to more places than ever before. the steel desolate _ more places than ever before. the steel desolate now, citing regeneration projects anywhere in the world — regeneration projects anywhere in the world and you and i, we work together— the world and you and i, we work together on— the world and you and i, we work together on some great things, make

sure that _ together on some great things, make sure that the treasury 's in darlington putting this region at the heart of government, the freeport _ the heart of government, the freeport as he said, the largest in europe _ freeport as he said, the largest in europe attracting thousands ofjobs and investment to the area, for that is levelling — and investment to the area, for that is levelling up in action. that is what _ is levelling up in action. that is what you — is levelling up in action. that is what you get with ben taking bold decisions — what you get with ben taking bold decisions for this region, that is the conservatives delivery. and i -ot the conservatives delivery. and i got a _ the conservatives delivery. and i got a message for the labour party, too. because they know that they had too. because they know that they had to win _ too. because they know that they had to win here _ too. because they know that they had to win here in order to win the general— to win here in order to win the general election, they know that. they— general election, they know that. they assume that tees valley would 'ust they assume that tees valley would just roll _ they assume that tees valley would just roll back to them but it didn't _ just roll back to them but it didn't it _ just roll back to them but it didn't. it didn't. people knew they couldn't— didn't. it didn't. people knew they couldn't be — didn't. it didn't. people knew they couldn't be taken for granted, they knew— couldn't be taken for granted, they knew it _ couldn't be taken for granted, they knew it was ben and the conservatives that did it for them and they— conservatives that did it for them and they stuck with the selection. and, _ and they stuck with the selection. and. the — and they stuck with the selection. and, the general election they are going _ and, the general election they are going to _ and, the general election they are going to stick with us, too. they don't _ going to stick with us, too. they don't want — going to stick with us, too. they don't want to be taken for granted and they— don't want to be taken for granted and they note that it's you" conservatives that are building a ready— conservatives that are building a ready future for teesside and brighter— ready future for teesside and brighter future for britain. congratulations. our south—west england correspondent jenny kumah is in weymouth, in dorset.

hijenny, tell us where hi jenny, tell us where you are and what's happening. i’m hi jenny, tell us where you are and what's happening-— hi jenny, tell us where you are and what's happening. i'm in weymouth and this is the _ what's happening. i'm in weymouth and this is the dorset _ what's happening. i'm in weymouth and this is the dorset council- and this is the dorset council account happening behind me, it's only been going on for a couple of hours so we're only not even halfway through the actual result is expected around seven o'clock. but so far we have around a dozen seats declared, just a bit of background for you, this is true blue council area. the conservatives have had a long—running success at both counsel level and parliamentary level here in dorset, but the lib dems are hoping to make in ways here to build on the resurgence they've had in the south—west and the gains they've had in parliamentary by elections and devon and somerset, as well as local council elections before the count started after the count started here, he was feeling confident that they could become the largest party

here and the results so far it's difficult to tell really how it went but six seats for the conservatives, they are conservative hold, five for lib dems, two of those seats have been gained from the conservatives to add one seat declared for the greens, the campaign here has been very interesting in that sir ed davey has been here virtually every week, they've thrown a lot of resources at this, doorknocking, leafleting, and they've been saying that they've been relayed —— it really well received here. they've been disgruntled about the national government and nhs waiting times and in dentistry, they vary much been setting themselves as local liberal democrats, of focusing on things like affordable housing. the conservatives in contrast they tried to distance themselves from the national party which is pulling quite low in the polls at the moment. to the extent that the

leader of the conservative group said that when he was asked whether they could do with any support from they could do with any support from the national party, he said he'd rather not in the campaign is very much focused on them as local conservatives and they've been very much pushing the message that they've managed this counsel well, delivered services judiciously and that people should stick with what they know because if you look next door to somerset, they say, where they are having financial problems and the lib dems have taken over, they say stay with what you know. so really early stages here at the moment, we could get a declaration around seven o'clock, and the lib dems obviously hoping that they do well here, they can continue to make gains in the south—west and do well in the parliamentary elections when they happen. in the parliamentary elections when they happen-— in the parliamentary elections when they happen. thank you so much for that, they happen. thank you so much for that. jenny. — they happen. thank you so much for that. jenny. be _ they happen. thank you so much for that, jenny, be back— they happen. thank you so much for that, jenny, be back with _ they happen. thank you so much for that, jenny, be back with you - they happen. thank you so much for that, jenny, be back with you when l that, jenny, be back with you when the declaration appears imminent.

were talking about their or hearing about the effort that lib dems have been turning in, wendy chamberlain is the mp, chief whip. she gave her reaction to the party's performance. it's obviously very early days and we're hopeful about seeing progress in places like tunbridge wells. if you look at it all for councils today we've won, including in hell for example. we were facing off against labour and we've made gains in places suella braverman's back yard, and where were looking at expecting to make progress that's exactly what we've done. and expecting to make progress that's exactly what we've done. and what do ou think exactly what we've done. and what do you think this — exactly what we've done. and what do you think this will _ exactly what we've done. and what do you think this will translate _ exactly what we've done. and what do you think this will translate to - you think this will translate to in a general election because mike is there enough momentum to work with mark well, as you will be aware there was. we mark well, as you will be aware there was-— mark well, as you will be aware there was. ~ . , . ., ., there was. we are very clear about there was. we are very clear about

the work we're _ there was. we are very clear about the work we're doing _ there was. we are very clear about the work we're doing to _ there was. we are very clear about the work we're doing to ensure i there was. we are very clear about the work we're doing to ensure we| the work we're doing to ensure we bring as many liberal democrat mp's parliament as possible, if you like the results overnight in like eastlake, and hazel grove, we have won the popular vote in those constituencies, so that demonstrates to me that we are making the right progress as we look to the general election which frankly can't come soon enough. let's take a look at the weather now. here's elizabeth rizzini. well, it was the warmest day of the year so far across all four nations yesterday. temperatures rose into the low 20s in celsius. here they are, and we are set to keep the warmth today across western scotland and northern ireland, although not quite so much sunshine here. but across england and wales, it's a lot cooler, a drop in temperature of around ten degrees celsius across parts of east anglia, where there's plenty of cloud and some more outbreaks of rain. so really quite wet and cloudy for much of england and wales this afternoon. watch out for some thunderstorms, too, from yorkshire and lincolnshire, just pushing northwards and westwards through the afternoon. some sunny spells developing across the south coast of england, but the best of the sunshine again

will be for scotland, particularly the north and the west, where once again we could see 20 to even maybe 23 degrees celsius. now, as we had through of this evening and overnight, that weather front continues to lift its way further northwards, taking the cloud and the rain with it. there'll be a lot of mist and murk into tomorrow morning, particularly for north sea—facing coasts. it's a lot chillier further south for southern england and south wales. clear skies, some radiation fog forming. temperatures back to mid—single figures, but much milder of course further north underneath all that cloud, that continues again to push its way northwards through the day tomorrow. so a bit of a north—south split going on on saturday. still some breaks in the cloud across north—western areas of scotland, but the best of the sunshine tomorrow will tend to be across southern england and south wales, too, and that will really help to lift the temperatures, 16—17 degrees, back up to the seasonal average, but watch out for some afternoon showers. now on sunday, important not to take the graphics too literally at this stage, but at the moment we think this area of low pressure

is going to wind its way in from the south and the west, so there will be some showers here. more showers developing further north as well, but in the sunny spells, and there will be some, it will feel pleasantly warm as it does at this time of year. and it's another day of sunny spells and some showers again on bank holiday monday. the focus for the showers probably towards the south of england at least through the morning. more showers developing across northern england and scotland as we head through the afternoon, but again do keep checking the forecast because the detail is likely to change. here's the temperature outlook for our capital cities, then, as we head through the weekend and into the start of next week. temperatures around average, warm in the sunshine, but there will be some wet weather at times. bye— bye.

it's a good night for labour in the local elections and mayoral races, while the conservatives suffer their worst results, in decades. the country wants change. this is a very clear divide now, we have had

14 very clear divide now, we have had 1a years of failure and decline and we have chaos and division from the tories. obviously it's disappointing to lose good, hard—working conservative councillors, and i'm grateful to them for all their service in local government. but some cheer for the conservatives as ben houchen hangs on in the mayor's office in tees valley. diary election results are becoming a dangerous habit for the conservatives, but tonight there is no sign it is prompting more tory mps to want to get rid of rishi sunak. —— dire. so what could the results mean for a general election? also on the programme: after the killing of the teenager mikey roynon in somerset last year, three other teenagers, are sentenced. cheering and singing the excited young ipswich town fans praying for promotion tomorrow to the premier league. will you marry me? what? marry me. and...will he or won't he? the last ever episode

of gavin and stacey, is coming this christmas.